Is hepatitis an STD?
Is hepatitis an STD? The answer is complicated. My official response is yes and no.
What people do not often realize is that there are several hepatitides; some are transmitted through sexual contact and some are transmitted through other behaviors or routes of exposure. Regardless of the route of transmission, however, hepatitis is defined as a viral infection that causes an inflammation of the liver that, over a period of time, may lead to impaired liver function. As our body’s filtration system, the liver is regarded as a vital organ. Chronic liver disease or impaired liver function can lead to an impaired quality of life and/or a premature death.
The most common strains of hepatitis are types A, B and C, and all are considered to be blood-borne pathogens. Each type is unique in its presentation and in its disease course. Some cases of hepatitis resolve quickly, whereas others become chronic. The good news is that vaccines are available to protect against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. There is no known vaccine to protect against hepatitis C. As a result, hepatitis C is one of the most common infectious diseases. Men who have sex with men are considered to be high risk for acquiring hepatitis B and C, due to the nature of their sexual activity. The consequences of hepatitis can be exaggerated in someone with another chronic infection such as HIV.
Hepatitis A: This is the one that we usually associate with a restaurant. Hepatitis A is a type that can resolve fairly quickly, usually within a couple weeks. Though it may lead to extreme gastrointestinal illness, it is rarely life threatening. It’s commonly spread through “fecal/oral contact.” This essentially means that the virus is present in the feces and when people do not properly wash their hands after using the bathroom, the virus is present on their hands. When an infected person then touches another object such as food, or a surface where food is prepared, or even any utensils, essentially that food becomes contaminated. Anyone who ends up eating the infected food is then infected through fecal/oral contamination. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted indirectly through rectal sex, as fecal oral contamination is more likely to occur or during rimming.
The symptoms of hepatitis A are mostly related to gastrointestinal illness and include such things as diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramping and flu-like symptoms. Since the infection involves the liver, it may also lead to jaundice or a yellowing of the eyes. Since hepatitis A is spread through both casual and intimate contact, in order to best control the spread, anyone who is thought to be infected should seek medical care. Treatment such as immunoglobulin is available to help reduce the length and severity of the illness. Vaccine for hepatitis A is recommended for men who have sex with men and for anyone who works in the food-service industry.
Hepatitis B: It is most commonly spread during sexual activity or through sharing needles during intravenous drug use with someone who is infected. The most common route of transmission is through sexual contact. Hepatitis B is considered to be a chronic infection where symptoms do not begin to manifest for many years. Some subtle symptoms may appear early on and require diagnostic testing of the liver to be appropriately diagnosed. As it progresses, symptoms include chronic fatigue, flu-like symptoms, chronic gastrointestinal illness and jaundice. Over time, hepatitis B impairs the liver.
Some people who are exposed to hepatitis B may clear the virus on their own; others are not so lucky. The vaccine available against hepatitis B requires a series of shots. Vaccine is recommended for men who have sex with men and for anyone who has a history of intravenous drug use.
Hepatitis C: It is one of the most common infections out there, particularly among those with a history of drug use. It is most commonly spread through sharing needles during intravenous drug use, although it is estimated that up to 10 percent of cases are spread through sex. Transmission during sexual contact has risen in recent years mostly among those who have sexual partners with a history of injection drug use. It is most commonly a chronic infection and acts much the same way that hepatitis B does. Symptoms are very similar and it requires diagnostic blood testing to identify infection and the stage of the disease. There is currently no known vaccine to protect against hepatitis C.
To find out more about vaccinations for hepatitis A or hepatitis B, contact your health care provider or you may call the Salt Lake Valley Health Department at 385-468-4242.